On the occasion of the arrival of the Peace Boat in Barcelona on Tuesday 5 November, several ICAN organisations met in an event that brought together initiatives and proposals relating to world peace.

The Peace Boat, Japanese ship of Peace, is an active part of the campaign ICAN (International Campaign for the Abolition of Nuclear Weapons). It aims to create an awareness of Peace, as it travels around the world, promoting human rights, respect for the environment and publicizing the consequences of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombs.

This campaign is made up of a coalition of international civil society non-governmental organizations that promote the adherence and full implementation of the TPNW (Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons) at the global level.

Pictures by René Gómez

The documentary “The Beginning of the End of Nuclear Weapons” was screened. The documentary, directed by Álvaro Orús and produced by Tony Robinson of Pressenza, explains the history of nuclear weapons, their consequences and aims to raise awareness of the need to eradicate them.

The documentary promotes the signing and ratification of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons and that the population becomes aware of the danger in which they live and builds a citizen’s movement for a change of planetary paradigm without nuclear weapons.

Prior to the broadcast of the film, the cruise director Maria Yosida welcomed the attendees, explained the objectives of the Peace Boat and the ICAN Campaign.

The Hibakusha, Noriko Sakashita, began the act reciting a poem “The life of this morning”, accompanied by the cello of Miguel Lopez, playing the “Cant dels Ocells” by Pau Casals, which tuned the audience in an emotional atmosphere.

The documentary was followed by presentations by:

-David Llistar, director of Global Justice and International Cooperation of Barcelona City Council, representing his Department and the mayoress of Barcelona, Ada Colau.

-Tica Font, from the Centre Delàs d’Estudis per la Pau.

-Carmen Sunyé, vice-president of Fundipau.

-Alessandro Capuzzo, representative of World Without Wars in the Bamboo (ship adhered to the 2nd World March that sails through the Mediterranean with the Campaign: “Mediterranean, Sea of Peace and free of nuclear weapons”).

-Rafael de la Rubia, coordinator of the 2nd World March and founder of World without Wars and without Violence.

-Federico Mayor Zaragoza, president of the Foundation for a Culture of Peace and former director general of UNESCO (through video).

We also had the assistance of Pedro Arrojo, former deputy of Podemos, as one of the protagonists involved in the documentary.

Josep Mayoral, mayor of Granollers and vice-president of Mayors for Peace in Spain, excused his absence.

Pictures by Antonio Meda and Javier Belda

At the end of the event, information was updated on the 2nd World March for Peace and Nonviolence, which began on 2 October in Madrid, and which has already travelled to some countries in Africa and is on its way to America. It will continue its journey through Asia and Europe, ending on 8 March 2020.

Translated by Pressenza London (a rough translation of the videos is available on the YouTube site)